Sodium Picosulphate
About
Sodium Picosulphate belongs to the group of medicines called stimulant laxatives used to treat short-term, occasional constipation. Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements in which the stools are often dry, painful and hard to pass. Symptoms include incomplete bowel movements, dry, hard stools, which are difficult to pass.
Sodium Picosulphate contains ‘sodium picosulphate’, which stimulates mucosa in the large intestine and encourages the muscles in the bowel to move waste easily; this increases bowel motility. Thereby, Sodium Picosulphate helps in providing relief from constipation. Sodium Picosulphate may also be used to clear the bowel before medical examinations such as colonoscopy or surgery.
Take Sodium Picosulphate as prescribed. In some cases, Sodium Picosulphate may cause common side effects, such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain/cramps, and abdominal discomfort. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Consult your doctor before taking Sodium Picosulphate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not take Sodium Picosulphate for more than a week as it might cause dependency on Sodium Picosulphate for a bowel movement. Drink plenty of fluids whilst taking Sodium Picosulphate to prevent dehydration. Sodium Picosulphate should be given to children only if prescribed by the doctor.
Uses of Sodium Picosulphate
Medicinal Benefits
Sodium Picosulphate belongs to the group of medicines called stimulant laxatives used to treat short-term, occasional constipation. Sodium Picosulphate may also be used to clear the bowel before medical examinations such as colonoscopy or surgery. Sodium Picosulphate stimulates mucosa in the large intestine and encourages the muscles in the bowel to move waste easily; this increases bowel motility. Thereby, Sodium Picosulphate helps in providing relief from constipation.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sodium Picosulphate
- Abdominal pain/cramps
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal discomfort
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Sodium Picosulphate if you are allergic to any of its components; if you have severe dehydration, intestinal blockage, appendicitis, blocked bowel, inflammation of the intestines or severe abdominal pain with vomiting, nausea, and/or fever. Do not take Sodium Picosulphate for more than a week as it might cause dependency on Sodium Picosulphate for a bowel movement; talk to your doctor if constipation lasts for more than a week. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Sodium Picosulphate may interact with diuretics (furosemide, bendrofluathiazide), steroid (prednisolone), and antibiotics.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have appendicitis, intestinal blockage, severe abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, severe dehydration, or inflammation of the intestines.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Sodium Picosulphate. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant; your doctor will prescribe it only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if it can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionSodium Picosulphate is unlikely to affect your ability to drive. However, drive only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver disease.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
cautionSodium Picosulphate should be given to children only if advised by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try maintaining a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Stay hydrated, drink enough water and fluids.
- Exercise regularly, and stay fit.
- Get enough sleep.
- Try making time to empty your bowels whenever the body tells you to.
- Eat food rich in fibre such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, flaxseed, nuts, beans, lentils, fruits (berries, apples, oranges, bananas, pears, figs) and vegetables (broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Constipation: It refers to infrequent bowel movements. The stools are often dry, painful and hard to pass. Constipation is a condition in which the person has fewer than three bowel movements in a week. However, bowel patterns may vary from person to person. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, and feeling as if the bowel movement is incomplete. Constipation occurs when the muscle contractions in the large intestine slow down, which causes the incomplete elimination of the bowel from the body. Constipation could be associated with a sudden change of diet, a diet with less fibre, not drinking enough liquids, lack of exercise, loss of tone of the bowel muscles in older people, or having to stay in bed for a longer duration.
FAQs
Sodium Picosulphate stimulates mucosa in the large intestine and encourages the muscles in the bowel to move waste easily; this increases bowel motility. Thereby, Sodium Picosulphate helps in providing relief from constipation.
Sodium Picosulphate does not help with weight loss. It does not reduce the absorption of nutrients or calories. However, Sodium Picosulphate might cause dehydration which may seem like weight loss. To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids.
Sodium Picosulphate usually produces a bowel movement in 6-12hours. However, it might sometimes take longer to show the effect.
Diarrhoea might occur if Sodium Picosulphate is taken in larger doses. Stop taking Sodium Picosulphate and consult your doctor if you experience diarrhoea. Drink lots of fluids and eat non-spicy food if you experience diarrhoea.
Do not take Sodium Picosulphate for more than 5 days as it might lead to dependency on Sodium Picosulphate for a bowel movement. It might also cause an imbalance of electrolytes and dehydration. Consult your doctor if your bowel movement is irregular even after taking Sodium Picosulphate for a week.
Drink plenty of fluids and consume fibre-rich food, whole-grain bread, unprocessed bran, fruits and vegetables. Try to exercise regularly.
Available Medicines for
Sodium Picosulphate
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